Frans Haal

Frans must have witnessed considerable fascinating ventures on the part of his owner Thomas Hall, the English tobacco planter whose widow later freed him. This may not have been out of the kindness of her heart for old slaves were often freed.

named for his former master Thomas Hall

Thomas Hall or Hal
born 1614, probably in Wales.
He married Anna Quick (aka Cuyck {first married name}) in 1641
Died on 9 May 1669

Anna Medford QUICK, b. abt 1620 .

Frans Haal was manumitted by the 1669 will of Anna Medford, widow of Thomas Hall, which was not proved until 1687. He took the surname of his former master.1

Frans married his wife, Dorothy Bresiel in 1694 NYC Ref Ch, Her 2nd husband was Minckes Paulus.

The Thomas Hall mentioned is perhaps the same as" 62 NEW YORK HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS GG 219b PATENT TO TOMAS HAL

We, Willem Kieft, etc... have given and granted to Tomas Hal a certain lot located on the island of Manhattan bounded on the west side by Mr. Augustyn and on the east side by Mr. Hardenberech; its breadth on the front or on the south side is 1 and a half rods, 2 feet, 4 inches; its breadth in the rear is the same as the front; its length is 6 rods, 4 inches, with the express conditions etc... Done at Fort New Amsterdam, 15 May 1647
There is this 1639 Patent also involving Hal/Hall

PATENT TO GEORGE HOMS AND TOMAS HAL We, Willem Kieft, director-general and council, on behalf of the high and mighty lords, States-General of the United Provinces, his highness of Orange and the honorable lords directors of the Chartered West India Company, residing in New Netherland, herewith attest and declare that today, date underwritten, we have granted to George Homs and Tomas Hal, tobacco planters in partnership, a certain piece of land located on the island of Manhattan, extending in width from Deutel Bay along the East River to the kil of Schepmoes where the beech tree lies across the water; and in length from the said river directly into the woods for the same distance as along the water, 100 rods of 13 feet each, with the express condition and stipulation that George Homs and Tomas Hall or who hereafter by virtue of this document may obtain their interest, shall acknowledge the noble lords directors as their lords and patroons under the sovereignty of the high and mighty lords, States-General and obey their director and council here in everything, as it is the duty of all good inhabitants, submitting further to all such imposts and taxes, as by the said authorities are already or may be ordered; constituting therefore the said George Homs and Tomas Hall in our stead, real and actual possession of the said piece of land, giving them full and irrevocable power to enter upon, cultivate, occupy and use the said parcel of land as they would with others, their patrimonial lands and goods, without we, the grantors, in our quality aforesaid, reserving or retaining in the least any part of or authority over the property, but for the behoof as aforesaid, desisting, renouncing and withdrawing now and irrevocably, all according to the rules of law, and to confirm this further it has been by us signed and sealed with our seal.

Done at Fort Amsterdam, 15 November 1639.
later known as Turtle Bay

Selected Rensselaerswijck Papers

In 1662 the city court heard the case of Andries Jochemsen, a white accused of having his tavern open on Sunday during the hours of divine service. His three customers, Matthew the negro of Cornelis Sttewyck, Swan of Govert Loockermans, and Frans of Thomas Hall, all testified that they had not begun drinking until services were letting out.

THOMAS HALL was quite a man of substance: See: Early Memoirs of the Stilwell Family

children of Frans Hall & Dorothe Bresiel:

• Antje Haal (Tomhaal), m. (1) 4 Nov 1707 NYC Ref Ch, Jacob Franse; m. (2) 1744 NYC Luth Ch, Peter Jackson

• Margaret Haal, m. (1) Michael Groman; m. (2) 1730 NYC Ref Ch, Matthys Rosendaal

• Caspar Franszen Hall, bp. 25 Dec 1692 NYC Ref Ch (wit: Vincent Casparszen, Hanna Yrens); m. (1) 1712 NYC Ref Ch, Elizabeth Pieters; m. (2) 1728 Hackensack Ref Ch, Elizabeth Van Donck; m. (3) Sara Matthyse

Sources:

[1] Hoffman, Henry B., "Researching African-American Families in New Netherland and Colonial New York and New Jersey" in New York Genealogical & Biographical
Record, Vol. 136, No. 2, April 2005, p. 95; Baptisms in the Reformed Dutch Church, New York [City], 1901 (Collections of the NY Genealogical & Biographical Society, Vol. III)

page 165 of Christoph

descendants may include

• April 19,1741 (marriage) at Hackinsack
  • Willem Smidt Y:M: & Barbara Franssen Y:D: free negroes (both?) live in Bergen County
    • U.S., Dutch Reformed Church Records in Selected States, 1639-1989 New York New York City New York City Lutheran, Vol III, Book 87, page 55